Members of the House of Representatives yesterday welcomed the announcement of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. that the House will hold plenary voting on whether to terminate or continue floor interpellation and debate on the Reproductive Health Bill on August 7, a government press release said.

The lawmakers said they believe the House has extensively and adequately discussed and debated the RH bill since plenary interpellations started on May 17, 2011.

Rep. Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar, Lone District) said the Speaker’s statement is a welcome development.

Rep. Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st District), said the announcement reflects Belmonte’s strong political will and determination to put the House in order.

Garin, vice chair of the House Committees on Health and on Population and Family Relations, is the author of House Bill 101, the press release said.

Rep. Augusto Syjuco (Iloilo, 2nd District), said it is an accurate and prudent step in determining the House decision.

Rep. Neri Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna) said he agrees with the Speaker's proposal to terminate the plenary debates so the House can proceed in deciding the ultimate fate of the RH bill.

Belmonte said plenary will have to vote on August 7 and decide, once and for all, whether they should terminate or continue the long-drawn plenary debate on the RH and start with the period of amendments, the press release also said.

If the vote is in favor of terminating the debates, then the period of amendments follow and the RH bill will be put to a vote for passage on second reading. If the vote is against the termination of the debates, then it is back to plenary interpellation, he added, the press release further said.*

back to top